Investment

Budget: Low-tax ‘investment zones’ to be rolled out across UK

Hunt to announce approximately £1 bn support for investment zones across the UK , in order to boost growth in key sectors. Each zone will receive £80mln of public support over five years, alongside gaining tax incentives such as lower business rates or employer national insurance, according to Financial Times sources. The aim is to upskill workers and provide specialist support for businesses, many of which have called for further public funding in recent months. Hunt’s scheme will partially bring the plan to life, operating alongside ‘freeports’ at twelve UK airports and

Property Consulting

Green light ready for Mixed- Use scheme:

An application proposing the creation of a series of blocks providing both commercial and residential space could soon move forward. The application site comprises a number of blocks in commercial use, including a gym, barbers, hot food takeaways, restaurants, estate agents and nail salon. This would deliver net gains on residential units and would increase housing affordability. The approval of this scheme has been recommended and the application itself has demonstrated that it can be developed within the existing framework . _____________________________ Shou

Investment

Major defence investment in launch of integrated review refresh announced:

UK has launched the 2023 Integrated Review refresh to respond to the increasing global volatility. They have confirmed an additional £5billion to be provided to the Ministry of Defence to bolster 'ammunition stocks' , fund the next phase of the AUKUS submarine programme and modernise the UK's nuclear enterprise. This has been the largest sustained increase since the Cold War (1991). The Prime Minister will also set out an ambition to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP in the longer term, and the UK will lead a conversation with Allies on future posture and burden sha

Property Consulting

How property technology could help solve the UK’s housing crisis:

House prices have been rising without a rhyme or reason for years, however, there aren't enough properties to buy and a majority of the properties don't mee the government standard. However, the ever evolving landscape of property technology is providing digital solutions to the property and real estate scene. The average house in England is costing 9 times the amount over the average salary and so affordability is a major issue in this crisis. The spiralling price of property has encouraged entrepreneurs from proptech and fintech to come up with solutions that make ascend

Investment

USA: Retirees remaining anxious despite the decline in inflation!

Almost 55% of Senior Citizens will remain sceptical of the rising costs this year, despite the fact the rate of inflation is trending downwards. Virtually the same proportion of respondents said that in 2022, their household costs rose by more than the 6% of the increase in benefits from that year. As to whether 2023 will be the year in which seniors catch up with inflation, an overwhelming 96% of survey respondents don’t think so. On a political note, 62% of the respondents think Congress should protect Social Security and Medicare benefits from delays or automatic cuts t

Investment

Why have interest rates in the UK increased, again?

The Bank of England has raised interest rates for the 10th time in a row, upping the base rate from 3.5 per cent to 4 per cent. The Bank have commented upon the fact that the UK is still heading into a recession, however, but the downturn will be shorter and less steep. Therefore, we will be able to recover quicker. Peak-to-trough gross domestic product (GDP) is set to shrink by 1 per cent – down from the 3 per cent previously projected. Rates will then stay above 3.25 per cent for at least the next three years, according to the forecast. This is despite inflation starting

Investment

Finance gap in UK’s economy : Is Nature the answer?

The British economy is currently facing a gap of approximately £97 billion to meet the nature- related goals by 2032. Without investment, as outlined in the public policy of the 25 year environment plan, both the natural environment and the economy are at risk of collapsing. Approximately, £600million worth of housing is at risk of being submerged if the financial sector does not step up. While the recent donation from Aviva of £38 million to the Wildlife Trust is a welcome development, donations are not a sustainable model for financing nature recover.With the Treasury al

Investment

EU in discussion to loosen state aid rules:

The EU is planning to loosen state aid rules to boost renewables investment. The EU is aiming to get on par with the US green subsidy race. European policymakers have been under pressure to respond to the US president Joe Biden’s $369bn (£298bn) Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to encourage renewables investment in everything from electric cars to wind turbines. BP released a statement lobal carbon emissions were expected to fall quicker than it had previously expected as a result of the war in Ukraine and Biden’s efforts to encourage green investment. ________________

Investment

Shell expected to lose $2bn after windfall taxes announced

As a result of the UK and EU windfall taxes, for the last quarter, there will be a hit of approximately 2 billion USD on earnings. This comes after the firm disclosed that it had not paid any UK windfall taxes because of their investments in the North Sea in October. The windfall levies are designed to capture excess earnings raked in as a result of high commodity prices, linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russ Mould, an investment director at AJ Bell, said: “It would be disingenuous for Shell to gripe too much about these new levies given recently departed Ben van Be

Investment

UK businesses cut investment, as the interest rate rises

Senior Executives from the Bank of England suggest that the higher interest rates are denting capital spending, however, are expecting a slight increase in wages. Business leader have commented that as there was an increase in interest their investing has decreased by 8%. Despite this, a 0.5% wage growth is predicted. This is hinting to the BoE having to now tighten their monetary policy in 2023. Moreover, inflation expectations within businesses were unchanged. Post Pandemic the UK economy entered into a recession which resulted in higher interest rates and higher energy